Helen Mirren addresses Bradley Cooper “Jewface” row

nme.com:

Sunday With Laura Kuennssberg (October 1), Mirren was asked about actors using prosthetics to play Jewish figures, often called “Jewface”, and cited the recent backlash to Bradley Cooper’s portrayal of Leonard Bernstein in Maestro.“I think I can see, but sometimes I can’t see, because I can’t see who in this room is Jewish,” Mirren said. “We are all such an amazing mix and certainly I don’t have an issue with Kirk Douglas playing a Viking.

Kirk Douglas was Jewish.“I think the whole question of assuming a certain physiognomy because you’re playing a particular race.

There is something offensive about that.“On the other hand, if you’re playing Leonard Bernstein, and this is really what Leonard Bernstein looked like, you know, maybe it’s a good idea.

As I said, it’s a very delicate balance.”Mirren previously addressed the controversy around her casting in an interview with the Daily Mail (via the Guardian) last year. “It was certainly a question that I had, before I accepted the role,” she said. “[Meir] is a very important person in Israeli history.“I said, ‘Look, Guy, I’m not Jewish, and if you want to think about that, and decide to go in a different direction, no hard feelings.